Perfuming composition

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a perfuming eau de toilette or eau de parfum composition comprising a high proportion of alcohol, for direct application on the skin or hair by spraying. More specifically, it relates to a sprayable perfume composition having excellent properties such as persistence of the olfactory note once applied on the skin. The composition is transparent and contains ethanol, 0 to 30% by weight of water, 3 to 40% by weight of a perfume concentrate and a copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinyl acetate.

The present invention relates to a perfuming composition containing ahigh proportion of alcohol, intended to be applied by spraying, directlyto the skin and the hair or else to clothing.

This composition may be an eau de toilette, an eau de cologne, a perfumeextract, an esprit de parfum or an eau de parfum. It is not rinsed offafter application.

More specifically, the invention relates to a perfuming compositionwhich has excellent properties such as transparency, sprayability,olfactory fidelity of the perfume concentrate that it contains, andpersistence of the perfume note over time after application.

PRIOR ART

A perfume generally contains a perfume concentrate, ethanol, optionallywater, and additives such as solubilizing agents, dyes, antioxidants andsurfactants.

The perfume concentrate is an essential constituent of the perfume. Itessentially contains odorous volatile substances which are combined, soas to give the perfume its original olfactory note.

The development of a perfuming solution involves the selection of thenature and amount of these various ingredients for the purpose ofobtaining a liquor in accordance with regulations, having optimalorganoleptic characteristics and good stability.

The perfume must in particular exhibit light-stability andheat-stability sufficient to guarantee that the olfactory note ismaintained in the packaging during its storage until the product issold, and then throughout the duration of its use by the consumer. Thisstability involves mainly the preservation over time of the originalolfactory note and the absence of appearance of cloudiness or depositsin the bottle.

The odor of a perfume, also called “olfactory note” in the presentapplication, is the result perceived by the sense of smell of theemanation of the volatile substances that it contains. By adjusting thedegree of volatility of the odorous substances, and the thresholds ofperception by the sense of smell, a perfume is composed, the olfactorynote of which changes over the hours following applications to the skinor the hair.

Thus, each perfume exhibits what is referred to as i) a top note whichis the odor that diffuses first during the application of the perfume orduring the opening of the container containing it, ii) a heart or bodynote which corresponds to the complete perfume (emission for a few hoursafter gradual extinction of the top note) and iii) a base note which isthe most persistent odor (emission for several hours after the heartnote). The persistence of the base note corresponds to what perfumerscall the persistence of the perfume.

For some perfume concentrates, it would be sought to increase thepersistence of the olfactory note of the perfuming solution, in order toprolong the consumer's odor perception over time, once the perfumingcomposition has been applied. It may also be sought to preserve thestrength of the more volatile notes, such as the top notes and the heartnotes.

In any event, it is essential to incorporate, into the perfumingsolutions, compounds which do not modify the scent as a whole, inparticular the top, heart and base notes, qualitatively (odor perceived)and quantitatively (strength perceived), in order to guarantee theolfactory fidelity of the perfume concentrate.

Thus, multiple parameters must be adjusted in order to obtain asatisfactory product. However, a given additive may introduceundesirable properties simultaneously with its main function, so thatthe perfumer may be led to make compromises.

For example, the strength and the persistence of an olfactory note maydepend on the nature of the perfume concentrate, on the percentage ofthe concentrate in the solution, on the level of alcohol and on themaceration time. The color depends on the liquor filtration parametersand also on the addition of dyes. A system for protecting andstabilizing the perfume concentrate comprising antioxidants andsunscreens protecting the perfuming solution against the action of UVradiation may be required in order to limit the deterioration of theliquor in response to light and heat. Furthermore, the toxicologicalinnocuousness of the formula and the good compatibility thereof with thecontainer must be verified.

The main negative feedback from consumers regarding perfuming productssuch as eaux de toilette are often their lack of persistence on skin:the perception of the odor of the product once applied is judged to betoo short, so that the consumer may be obliged to reapply the productone or more times during the day, in order to maintain the perception ofits odor over time. Thus, during the preparation of a perfumecomposition, there may be cause to incorporate therein compounds whichdelay their evaporation, such as fixers or agents which modify theirevaporation curve.

However, some fixers and some modifiers of the evaporation profile havethe drawback of modifying the organoleptic properties of an alcoholicsolution of the perfume concentrate. They may thus modulate the perfumenotes of the perfuming product that are perceived after application ofthe product to the skin or clothing. They may also leave on the skin agreasy or tacky feel to the touch, or modify the appearance of thesolution by substantially reducing its transparency or by increasing itsviscosity. Finally, they may reduce the heat-stability andlight-stability of the solution.

There therefore remains the need to provide compounds which increase theduration of the perception of the note of the perfume, without modifyingthe color and the olfactory identity of the perfume concentrate of whichit is desired to preserve the notes. These compounds must also make itpossible to preserve the transparency of the perfuming solution, be ableto be sprayed through a suitable device such as the nozzle of a bottle,and not leave tacky residues on the skin.

The inventors have found a compound of polymer type which corresponds tothese complex specifications. This is all the more surprising since manyother polymers do not make it possible to satisfy these specifications.This is the case in particular of methacrylate derivatives which have atotally unacceptable odor, cellulose derivatives for which a compromisebetween the extending effect and the sprayable nature could not befound, and polyvinylpyrrolidones which result in solutions that are tooviscous to be sprayed, or in solutions which are sprayable but theextending effect of which is not significant. Finally, other polymersresult in perfuming solutions which leave a tacky feeling on the skin.

The inventors have found, surprisingly, that a vinylpyrrolidone/vinylacetate copolymer makes it possible to preserve and extend the originalolfactory note of perfumes while at the same time preserving theirsprayable nature. This compound thus makes it possible to extend theodor perception of the materials present in the perfume concentrate,which has been diluted in an alcohol.

Vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymers have already been used in thecosmetics field. Their film-forming properties have been used toadvantage in hair products, such as shampoos and gels, in order tofacilitate hair form retention and hair shaping.

The present invention proposes to use a vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetatecopolymer as perfume extender.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A subject of the present invention is thus a perfuming composition, saidcomposition comprising:

-   -   from 40% to 90% by weight of ethanol,    -   from 0% to 30% by weight of water,    -   from 3% to 40% by weight of a perfume concentrate, and    -   from 1% to 10% by weight of a vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate        copolymer, which is preferably solid at 25° C., the percentages        being expressed relative to the weight of the composition.

The perfuming composition may consist of:

-   -   from 40% to 90% by weight of ethanol,    -   from 0% to 30% by weight of water,    -   from 3% to 40% by weight of a perfume concentrate, and    -   from 1% to 10% by weight of a vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate        copolymer, which is preferably solid at 25° C., the percentages        being expressed relative to the weight of the composition.

The term “perfuming composition” or “perfume” is intended to mean aproduct in liquid form intended to impart a pleasant smell on anindividual after it has been sprayed or applied to: the skin, the hairor the clothing of the individual. Such a product is not rinsed offafter application. A perfume is generally applied to the skin.

The term “comprising” is intended to mean that the composition maycontain other ingredients. It is preferred for the sum of thepercentages of ethanol, water, perfume concentrate and copolymer to begreater than or equal to 95% by weight, more preferably greater than 98%by weight of the weight of the composition.

The term “consist of” is intended to mean that the sum of thepercentages of ethanol, water, perfume concentrate and copolymer isequal to 100%.

The copolymer makes it possible to increase the persistence of theolfactory note of the composition without changing the originalolfactory note perceived at the time of use. Incorporated into aperfuming solution, this copolymer does not significantly modify thecapacity of the solution to be satisfactorily sprayed.

The composition is preferably a sprayable, transparent, non-tackyperfume formula which is stable over time and heat-stable. The olfactorynote of the perfuming composition in its packaging does notsignificantly vary after exposure of said composition to heat forseveral weeks.

The term “sprayable” is intended to mean the ability of a composition tobe sprayed in a manner that the consumer finds satisfactory, saidconsumer expecting it to be possible for said composition to be sprayedevenly and repeatedly while producing a result that is satisfactory interms of uniformity of the size of the droplets formed upon spraying, atthe surface formed by the cloud of composition sprayed at a givendistance, or as the result obtained after application to the skin.

The copolymer does not significantly modify the olfactory note of analcoholic solution of a perfume concentrate. It also makes it possibleto preserve the original olfactory note under standard conditions ofaccelerated aging, in particular by exposure to heat.

Thus, the copolymer improves the properties of the perfumingcompositions, in particular their persistence on the skin or the hair,while at the same time obtaining a transparent composition that can besprayed, and the sensory properties of which, such as the feel, aresatisfactory.

The copolymer advantageously extends the perception of the perfume overtime, in particular the top notes and the heart notes of the perfume,for a user who has sprayed the composition onto their skin or theirclothing, this increase being evaluated relative to the same compositionnot containing said copolymer.

In the copolymer, the weight ratio of the vinylpyrrolidone to the vinylacetate in the copolymer can advantageously range from 50:50 to 70:30.It is for example 60:40.

The weight-average molecular weight of the copolymer, measured accordingto the small angle laser diffraction method, is preferably between 15000 and 600 000, more preferably between 30 000 and 100 000. Theweight-average molecular weight of the copolymer is for example aboutfrom 40 000 to 50 000.

The copolymer is preferably solid at 25° C., and can be in the form of apowder. The INCI name of the copolymer may be VP/VA Copolymer. Itpreferably has a glass transition temperature of between 70 and 115° C.,more preferably between 100 and 110° C.

The composition is liquid at 25° C., and is advantageously in the formof a solution of the ingredients of which it is composed. It may beaqueous-alcoholic or alcoholic. The term “aqueous-alcoholic composition”is intended to mean a composition containing ethanol or water, and theterm “alcoholic composition” is intended to mean a compositioncontaining ethanol and not containing water. The ethanol used for theformulation of the compositions is generally 96 vol % ethanol (i.e.containing 4% of water). For the purposes of the present invention, whenthe percentage of water in the composition is expressed, this isintended to mean the percentage of water that the composition containsi) due to the use of 96 vol % ethanol, or ii) due to the addition ofwater to absolute ethanol.

In the context of the invention, the expression “from . . . to” isintended to include the limits of the range of values, unlike theexpression “between . . . and” which is intended to exclude the limitsof the range of values.

The composition is advantageously in the form of a solution in which theingredients are miscible. In this case, the composition is not in theform of a water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion.

The composition advantageously contains from 0% to 0.01% by weight ofsurfactant. It is preferably free of surfactant. Indeed, the copolymeris soluble at the same time in ethanol, the perfume concentrate, and themixture of the two, so that it is not necessary to add a surfactant forthe composition to be homogeneous and transparent.

The composition may in particular be free of polyoxyalkylenatedsurfactants comprising at least five units chosen from —CH₂CH(OH)CH₂—and —OCH₂CH₂—, such as polyoxyethylenated compounds andpolyoxypropylenated compounds. Among these surfactants, mention may bemade of polyoxyalkylenated ethers, for instance POE(10) cetyl ether,polyoxyalkylenated esters, for instance PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oilor POE(20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylenated alkylphenolcondensates, products of condensation of ethylene oxide with the productof reacting propylene oxide and ethylenediamine, polyethoxylatedalcohols, polysorbates, and dimethicone copolyols.

The copolymer is advantageously in an amount sufficient to increase thepersistence of the perfume concentrate over time, once the compositionhas been applied to the skin or the hair, without reducing thetransparency and the sprayability of the composition.

In one embodiment, the copolymer represents from 1% to 10% by weight ofthe composition. Above 10% by weight, the copolymer has a negativeeffect: it produces a tacky sensation on the skin and it prevents goodspraying of the composition. In one embodiment, the copolymer representsfrom 2% to 8%, preferably from 2% to 5% by weight of the weight of thecomposition.

The minimum concentration of copolymer has a value chosen from the groupconsisting of 1%, 2% and 3% by weight of the weight of the composition.The maximum concentration of copolymer has a value chosen from the groupconsisting of 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% and 10% by weight of the weight ofthe composition.

The composition contains a perfume concentrate. The perfume concentratemay be for example chosen from compounds of which the INCI nameappearing on the list of ingredients of the perfuming compositionproposed for sale is “Perfume”. A perfume concentrate is a compound or amixture of compounds that is at least partially volatile at ambienttemperature, and the odor of which is detected. The perfume concentratecontains a note chosen from the group consisting of the top notes, theheart notes, the base notes, and mixtures thereof. The perfumeconcentrate preferably comprises predominantly top notes and heartnotes, and corresponds to low-persistence or medium-persistenceperfumes.

The term “low-persistence” or “medium-persistence” is intended to mean aperfume for which the odor perception, observed by an experienced panel,decreases by more than half after 8 hours following application to theskin.

The perfume concentrate is prepared from natural or synthetic perfumingmaterials.

As perfuming materials of natural origin, mention may be made forexample of extracts of flowers (lavender, rose, jasmine, ylang-ylang),of stems and of leaves (patchouli, geranium, petitgrain), of fruits(coriander, aniseed, cumin, juniper), of fruit peels (bergamot, lemon,orange), of roots (angelica, celery, cardamom, iris, sweet flag), ofwood (sandalwood, guaiacum, Spanish cedar), of grasses and graminae(tarragon, lemongrass, sage, thyme), of resins and of balms (galbanum,elemi, benzoin, myrrh, olibanum, opopanax).

As perfuming materials of synthetic origin, mention may be made forexample of benzyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, phenoxyethyl isobutyrate,p-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, citronellylformate, geranyl acetate, linalyl acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbinylacetate, phenylethyl acetate, linalyl benzoate, benzyl formate,ethylmethylphenyl glycinate, alkylcyclohexyl propionate, styralylpropionate and benzyl salicylate, benzylethyl ether, linear alkanalscontaining from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, citral, citronellal,citronellyloxyacetaldehyde, cyclamen aldehyde, hydroxycitronellal,lilial and bourgeonal, ionones such as alpha-isomethylionone, and methylcedryl ketone, anethol, citronellol, eugenol, isoeugenol, geraniol,linalool, phenylethyl alcohol, terpineol, and terpenes. These compoundsare often in the form of a mixture of two or more of these odoroussubstances.

Moreover, use may also be made of essential oils, for instance essentialoils of sage, chamomile, clove, melissa balm, mint, cinnamon treeleaves, juniper, vetiver, oliban, galbanum, labdanum and lavandin.

Use is preferably made, as perfume, alone or as a mixture, of essentialoil of bergamot, dihydromyrcenol, lilial, lyral, citronellol,phenylethyl alcohol, alpha-hexylcinnamaldehyde, geraniol, benzylacetone,cyclamen aldehyde, 25 linalool, ambroxan, indole, hedione, sandelice,essential oils of lemon, of mandarin and of orange, allylamineglycolate, cyclovertal, essential oil of lavandin, essential oil ofsage, beta-damascone, essential oil of geranium, cyclohexyl salicylate,phenylacetic acid, geranyl acetate, benzyl acetate, and rose oxide.

Among the known olfactory notes, mention may be made for example ofhesperide perfumes, aromatics, floral perfumes, musks, fruity perfumes,spicy perfumes, oriental perfumes, marine perfumes, aquatic notes,chypre perfumes, woody perfumes, ferns and mixtures thereof.

The ethanol content in the composition can range from 40% to 90% byweight, preferably from 50% to 85% by weight relative to the weight ofthe composition.

In a first embodiment, the composition contains from 15% to 25% byweight of perfume concentrate, from 55% to 65% by weight of ethanol andfrom 15% to 25% by weight of water relative to the weight of thecomposition.

In a second embodiment, the composition contains from 25% to 35% ofperfume concentrate, from 70% to 80% by weight of ethanol and 0% byweight of added water relative to the weight of the composition.

In a third embodiment, the composition contains from 15% to 25% byweight of perfume concentrate, from 75% to 85% by weight of ethanol andfrom 0% to 5% by weight of water relative to the weight of thecomposition.

Generally, when the composition contains water, the weight ratio ofethanol to water is between 65/35 and 98/2, preferably between 70/30 and85/15, and more preferably between 75/25 and 80/20 in the composition ofthe invention.

The perfume concentrate can represent from 6% to 30% by weight of thecomposition, for example from 6% to 15%, or from 10% to 25%, or elsefrom 20% to 30% by weight of the weight of the composition. The perfumeconcentrate can represent from 3% to 40%, for example from 10% to 35% orfrom 15% to 30% by weight of the weight of the composition.

The composition may contain, in addition to the ingredients previouslydescribed, at least one cosmetically acceptable ingredient chosen fromdyes, UV-screening agents, cosmetic active agents, antioxidants andrefreshing agents.

The dyes are for example: caramel, Yellow 5, Acid Blue 9/Blue 1, Green5, Green 3/Fast Green FCF 3, Orange 4, Red 4/Food Red 1, Yellow 6, AcidRed 33/Food Red 12, Red 40, cochenille carmine (CI 15850, CI 75470),Ext. Violet 2, Red 6-7, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Ultramarines, Acid Yellow3/Yellow 10, Acid Blue 3, Yellow 10. The liposoluble dyes are forexample Soudan red, D&C Red 17, D&C Green 6, beta-carotene, soybean oil,Soudan brown, D&C Yellow 11, D&C Violet 2, D&C Orange 5, quinolineyellow and annatto.

The dyes generally represent from 0.01% to 1%, preferably from 0.05% to0.5%, by weight of the weight of the perfuming composition.

Among the antioxidants, mention may be made for example of ascorbicacid, di-tert-butyl-p-hydroxytoluene (also called BHT or2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-cresol), BHA (tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole),tocopherols such as vitamin E, tocopherol derivatives such as tocopherylacetate, and gallic acid and its derivatives.

The composition may also comprise one or more agents which modify theevaporation curves of the molecules present in the perfume concentrate.Such modifiers are chosen from glycols, in particular from optionallyhydroxylated or polyalkylenated ethers, C₄ to C₁₂ glyceryl ethers,esters, and polyalkylenated esters.

One of these ethers can correspond to a compound of formulaR—O—(CH(CH₃)—CH₂O)_(a)—(CH₂—CH₂O)_(b)—H in which a and b are integerssuch that the sum of a and b ranges from 1 to 4, and R is an aliphaticchain comprising from 8 to 18 carbon atoms.

An ether can for example be chosen from polyoxyethylene glycerylmonococoate (Cetiol® HE), dicaprylyl ether (Cetiol® OE), PPG-11 stearylether (Arlamol® E), PPG-3 myristyl ether (Tegosoft® APM), and mixturesthereof.

Glyceryl ethers may be in accordance with those described in document US2003/0216283, in particular 2-ethylhexyloxypropanediol.

An ester may be n-hexadecyl-n-nonanoate, n-octadecyl-n-nonanoate orneopentyl glycol diisononanoate.

A subject of the invention is also a bottle equipped with a sprayingmeans and with a packaging means, and containing the compositiondescribed above.

The spraying means may be a manual pump. The bottle is preferablytransparent in order to allow the composition of the invention to beobserved, said composition itself preferably being transparent.

The compositions can be applied in the form of fine droplets by means ofpressurization devices. These devices are well known to those skilled inthe art and comprise non-aerosol pumps or “atomizers”, aerosolcontainers comprising a propellant and also aerosol pumps usingcompressed air as propellant.

The compositions and the bottles of the invention can be in the form ofeau de toilette, eau de cologne, perfume extract, esprit de parfum oreau de parfum.

Another subject of the invention is a method for perfuming the skin orthe hair of an individual, which consists in applying, using a sprayingmeans, to the skin or the hair of the individual, the compositiondescribed above. The composition may also be applied to clothing also;it is preferably applied directly to the skin, preferably to a part ofthe body which is not the face.

A further subject of the invention is the use of avinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer in a perfuming composition, forextending the time during which the olfactory note of said compositionis perceived by the sense of smell of a user having applied it to asupport, this increase being evaluated relative to the same compositionnot containing said copolymer. The support on which the perfume isdeposited may be for example the skin of an individual or a mineral ororganic, preferably porous, support. The composition is preferably aperfuming solution in the form of eau de toilette, eau de cologne,perfume extract, esprit de parfum or eau de parfum, applied to the skin,the hair or the clothing. The copolymer advantageously extends theperception of the top notes and of the heart notes of the olfactorynote.

A subject of the present invention is also a diffuser comprising asupport impregnated with the perfuming composition described above. Thesupport may be mineral or organic, and preferably porous.

The support on which the perfume of the invention can be deposited isfor example a fabric or a ceramic. The ceramics may be producedaccording to the techniques known to those skilled in the art. Thefabrics may be wipes used in the field of perfuming or perfumedproducts, or felts.

The diffuser may be obtained by impregnating the support with theperfuming composition by any means known to those skilled in the art.The impregnation can thus be carried out i) by capillary action afterthe composition has been either poured dropwise or sprayed onto thesupport, or ii) by dipping the support in a container containing theperfuming composition.

The invention will be illustrated in greater detail by the followingexamples.

Example 1 and Comparative Examples: Evaluation of the Olfactory Fidelityand of the Persistence of a Perfuming Composition According to theInvention and of a Perfuming Composition of the Prior Art

A commercial perfume of “floral” type of medium persistence was chosenas Reference.

A composition according to the invention, obtained by adding a VP/VAcopolymer to the Reference was then prepared. The vinylpyrrolidone(VP)/vinyl acetate (VA) copolymer that was used has a maximumsolubility, measured at 25° C., of 40% by weight of 96% v/v ethanol(comprising 4% v/v of water). The intrinsic olfactory neutrality of thecopolymer was verified. Such a copolymer is for example sold under thereference PVP/VA S-630® by the company ISP.

By way of comparison, various polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers weretested as a function of their physical characteristics (chain length andcrosslinking), their chemical characteristics(hydrophilicity/lipophilicity) and their sensory properties (odor andcolor).

These polymers were introduced into the commercial perfume at aconcentration previously defined as the maximum concentration at whichthe perfume is sprayable with a manual pump.

TABLE 1 Concentration of the copolymer in the reference PolymerConcentration introduced of the into the PHYSICAL copolymer in SolutionsReference CHARACTERISTICS the Reference Comparative PVP MW: 2 000 000-3000 000 0.5%   solution 1 Comparative PVP MW: 900 000-1 500 000 2%solution 2 Comparative PVP MW: 40 000-80 000 3% solution 3 Solution inVP/VA MW: 30 000-60 000 4% accordance copolymer VP/VA weight ratio =with the 60/40 invention MW: Weight-average molecular weight of thepolymer

The olfactory fidelity of the Solutions was evaluated relative to theReference by a sensory panel made up of eight individuals, immediatelyafter application to the skin (T0) and 8 hours after application (T0+8hours), by following a precise spreading protocol. The score was givenon a scale of 0 to 9, 9 representing the optimum fidelity. A similarprotocol was used to determine the persistence of the Solutions at T0+8hours, graded on a scale of 0 to 9, where 9 represents the mostfavorable note.

The members of the sensory panel were experts i) with experience ofobjective and descriptive characterizations of the sensory qualities ofperfumed or perfuming cosmetic compositions, and ii) able to disregardthe hedonic components with ease.

The experts of the panel were instructed as to how to assign grades andjudge the differences. In addition, the experts had to not wear perfumenor apply a perfumed cream on the days of evaluation.

The protocol followed by each expert was the following:

-   -   The Solution is sprayed once without applying it in order to        correctly prime the pump.    -   A single spray of the Solution is applied, at approximately 5 cm        from the arm, to the skin of the top/middle upper part of the        forearm of the expert, and the same application is carried out        with the Reference on the other forearm.    -   The olfactory fidelity is evaluated at T0 on a scale of 0 to 9        by comparing the perfume notes of the Reference and of the        Solution.    -   A plastic circle is applied around each of the two areas of        perfumed skin in order to protect them against rubbing; they are        attached with a band-aid and then a period of 8 hours is allowed        to elapse.    -   At T0+8 hours, the two plastic circles are removed and, after 10        seconds, the perfumed areas are smelt at approximately 2 cm from        the surface of the skin and the persistence or the olfactory        fidelity of the Solution is evaluated on a scale of 0 to 9.

The results have been reported in tables 2 and 3 below.

TABLE 2 Olfactory fidelity at T0 Fidelity T0 relative SolutionsPERCENTAGE to the Reference Comparative solution 1 0.5% PVP 6.75Comparative solution 2 2% PVP 7.1 Comparative solution 3 3% PVP 8Solution in accordance with the 4% VP/VA 8 invention copolymer

TABLE 3 Fidelity and persistence at T0 + 8 hours PERCENTAGE ofPersistence Fidelity INGREDIENTS polymer T0 + 8 H T0 + 8 H Reference 0%5 — Comparative solution 1 0.5% PVP 5.4 6.4 Comparative solution 2 2%PVP 6.2 6.6 Comparative solution 3 3% PVP 4.8 7.5 Solution of theinvention 4% VP/VA 6.4 7.5 copolymer

This study indicates that only the VP/VA copolymer makes it possible tosignificantly improve both the olfactory fidelity and the persistence ofthe perfume, without any impact on its physical and sensory properties.

The fidelity of the olfactory note is respected, the sprayability ispreserved, and a good compromise can be obtained between thesensoriality and the duration of the product after application.

Example 2: Increase in the Persistence of Various Perfumes

A study similar to that of example 1 was carried out by dissolving aVP/VA copolymer at 4% by weight in accordance with that used in example1, respectively in four commercial perfumes P1 to P4 having differentpersistences (see Table 4). The results have been presented in Table 5.

TABLE 4 Persistence of the Reference perfumes Reference perfumePersistence T0 + 8 H of the without polymer perfume without polymer P1 3P2 4 P3 5 P4 6

TABLE 5 Olfactory fidelity and persistence of the solutions of theinvention Increase in Perfume containing the Olfactory fidelityPersistence persistence VP/VA copolymer T0 + 8 H T0 + 8 H T0 + 8 H P1with 4% of VP/VA 7.2 5.8 93% P2 with 4% of VP/VA 7.3 5.8 45% P3 with 4%of VP/VA 7.5 6.4 28% P4 with 4% of VP/VA 6.8 6.7 12%

The increase in the persistence at T0+8H is significant when a VP/VAcopolymer dissolved at 4% by weight is added to the perfume, whateverthe olfactory family of the perfume.

The most significant effect was obtained with a very light perfume ofwhich the persistence was about 3 to 4.

Example 3: Preparation of Ceramics Impregnated with the PerfumingComposition of the Invention and Comparison with Respect to anImpregnation with a Perfuming Composition of the Prior Art

Ceramic impregnation tests were carried out with the perfume P1 and theReference perfume without polymer, these two perfumes being inaccordance with those described in example 2.

The “Control” diffuser consists of a ceramic that has been impregnatedby dipping, by completely immersing it for 30 seconds, at 25° C., in theReference perfume, the Reference perfume illustrating the prior art andbeing free of PVP-VA copolymer.

The diffuser of the invention consists of a ceramic having the samecharacteristics as the ceramic of the control diffuser, previously used,and which was perfumed by dipping in the perfume P1 in accordance withthe invention containing the PVP/VA copolymer, under the same dippingconditions as those used to prepare the control ceramic.

A grade of between 0 and 4 (4 being the maximum grade of persistenceobserved) is assigned by an olfactory panel in accordance with that usedin Example 1. This grade characterizes the persistence of the perfume P1or of the Reference perfume on ceramic.

Three grades were assigned:

-   -   to the ceramic that has been dipped and that has thus been taken        out of the beaker, without subsequent drying (grade at T0)    -   to the ceramic in accordance with T0 that has subsequently been        stored for 6 months at ambient temperature (grade at T1), then    -   to the ceramic in accordance with T1 that has subsequently been        subjected to accelerated aging for 3 weeks in an oven at 45° C.        (grade at T2).

The average grades assigned are reported in the following table.

T1 = T0 + 6 months T2 = ambient T1 + 3 weeks T0 temperature at 45° C.Control 4 2 3.5 diffuser Diffuser of the 4 1.5 3 invention

1. A perfuming composition comprising: from 40% to 90% by weight ofethanol, from 0% to 30% by weight of water, from 3% to 40% by weight ofa perfume concentrate, and from 1% to 10% by weight of avinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer, the percentages beingexpressed relative to the weight of the composition.
 2. The compositionas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the perfume concentraterepresents from 10% to 35% by weight, and the copolymer represents from2% to 5% by weight of the weight of the composition.
 3. The compositionas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the copolymer extends theperception of the perfume over time, in particular the top notes and theheart notes of the perfume, for a user who has sprayed the compositiononto their skin or their clothing, this increase being evaluatedrelative to the same composition not containing said copolymer.
 4. Thecomposition as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the copolymeris solid at 25° C., in that the weight ratio of the vinylpyrrolidone tothe vinyl acetate in the copolymer ranges from 50:50 to 70:30, and inthat the weight-average molecular weight of the copolymer is between 15000 and 600
 000. 5. The composition as claimed in claim 1, characterizedin that the weight ratio of ethanol to water is between 65/35 and 98/2.6. The composition as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that thecomposition contains from 15% to 25% by weight of perfume concentrate,from 55% to 65% by weight of ethanol and from 15% to 25% by weight ofwater relative to the weight of the composition.
 7. The composition asclaimed in claim 1, characterized in that the composition contains from25% to 35% of perfume concentrate, from 70% to 80% by weight of ethanoland 0% by weight of water relative to the weight of the composition. 8.The composition as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that thecomposition contains from 15% to 25% by weight of perfume concentrate,from 75% to 85% by weight of ethanol and from 0% to 5% by weight ofwater relative to the weight of the composition.
 9. A bottle comprisinga spraying means and a packaging means, and containing a perfumingcomposition as claimed in claim
 1. 10. The bottle as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the composition is transparent.
 11. The bottle asclaimed in claim 9, characterized in that the composition is a solutionin the form of eau de toilette, eau de cologne, perfume extract, espritde parfum or eau de parfum.
 12. The bottle as claimed in claim 9,characterized in that the spraying means is a manual pump.
 13. The useof a vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer in a perfumingcomposition, for extending the period of time during which the olfactorynote of said composition is perceived by the sense of smell of a userhaving applied it to a support, this increase being evaluated relativeto the same composition not containing said copolymer.
 14. The use asclaimed in claim 13, characterized in that the composition is aperfuming solution in the form of eau de toilette, eau de cologne,perfume extract, esprit de parfum or eau de parfum, applied to the skin,the hair or the clothing.
 15. The use as claimed in claim 14,characterized in that the copolymer extends the perception of the topnotes and of the heart notes of the olfactory note.
 16. A diffusercomprising a support impregnated with a perfuming composition as claimedin claim
 1. 17. The diffuser as claimed in claim 16, characterized inthat the support is a porous support, for example a fabric or a ceramic.18. The diffuser as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that it isobtained by impregnating the perfuming composition i) by capillaryaction, after the composition has been either poured dropwise, orsprayed onto the support, or ii) by dipping the support in a containercontaining the perfuming composition.